U.S. Baseball Championships to bring national webcast, thousands of visitors to Henrico and region

Henrico County will welcome close to 1,500 top high school baseball players from around the country — as well as college coaches and a national webcast audience — when the Triple Crown U.S. Baseball Championships take place July 23-Aug. 2.

This marks the fifth consecutive year Henrico and the metro region have hosted the Triple Crown tournament. The event is expected to bring at least 5,500 visitors to the area and provide a $3.95 million boost to the local economy, according to Richmond Region Tourism.

Seventy-eight teams from 17 states — ranging from California and Washington to Minnesota, Michigan, Connecticut, New York, Texas and Virginia — will compete at 16-under, 17-under and 18-under age divisions. A number of teams from the metro area are included in the field as well. Games will be played at several county facilities, including Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park and Tuckahoe Park, as well as other sites in the metro area, beginning Thursday (a complete schedule is available at www.triplecrownsports.com). All games are open to the public.

The 16-under/17-under North vs. South All-Star Game will be webcast live on WatchTCS.com from the Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 27. Admission is free.

Neil Luther, director of Henrico’s Division of Recreation and Parks, said the event showcases prospective college athletes and attracts coaches from college programs including Richmond, Towson and Stony Brook to scout players. He also said the event is another highlight for Henrico’s growing sports-tourism program.

“The Triple Crown U.S. Baseball Championships make a significant impact on our community,” Luther said. “We are able to showcase our facilities and our hospitality, and they bring dollars to our hotels, restaurants and retailers.”